Combination merchandise display and storage unit



Nov. 29, 1966 R. E. KNECHT 3,288,544

COMBINATION MERCHANDISE DISPLAY AND STORAGE UNIT Filed Nov. 20, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 PLEATER TAPE AND DRAPERY Moons y iflll' Nov. 29, 1966 R. E. KNECHT 3,

COMBINATION MERCHANDISE DISPLAY AND STORAGE UNIT Filed Nov. 20, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,288,544 COMBINATION MERCHANDISE DISPLAY AND STORAGE UNIT Roland E. Knecht, Freeport, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Andrew F. Wintercorn, Rockford, Ill. Filed Nov. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 324,955 4 Claims. (Cl. 312140.1)

This invention relates to a new and improved combination merchandise display and storage unit whereby articles such as drapery hardware, for example, may be displayed nicely on the front of an upright panel without any evidence whatsoever so far as front appearances are concerned that ample storage space is available behind the panel for a sizeable stock of articles like those on display.

The principal object of my invention is to provide in combination, an article display panel and storage cabinet in which the display panel forming the closure for the storage cabinet is demountably hinged on the cabinet by concealed hinge means on the back of its upper end portion to swing on a horizontal axis so that access may be had to the storage compartment readily by simply grasping the lower end of the display panel and swinging it forwardly, but whenever it is desired to change the display in any way, as inevitably happens where new items are added to a line or changes are made in existing items, it is a simple matter to lift the display panel oif its hinge support to facilitate making the changes desired, after which the panel can be easily replaced. This arrangement is especially good where such display panels from at least part of the back wall of a long display counter, the display panels behind the long display counter arranged in edge to edge abutment with no hinge means visible making for a most attractive display overall, aside from affording the other important advantages mentioned.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a long display counter embodying my invention, one of the upwardly swingable display panels at the rear there-of being shown swung upwardly to reveal the storage compartment behind it, while two other similar panels nearby are shown in closed position disposed in edge to edge abutment;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of FIG. 1, showing the panel in full lines in closed position and in dotted lines in open position, and

FIG. 3 is a section corresponding to a portion of FIG. 2 but on a larger scale showing a modification of the construction of FIG. 2.

Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout these views.

Referring to the drawings the reference numeral 5 in each instance designates generally a combination merchandise display and storage unit made in accordance with my invention, each unit comprising a display panel 6 normally disposed vertically in front of a storage compartment 7 for which it serves as a closure until it is swung upwardly, as the one panel 6 is seen in FIG. 2, to aiford access to the articles 8 stored in the compartment, two similar display panels 6 being shown in the left hand portion of FIG. -1 in closed position, to show that there is no evidence whatsoever, as seen from the front, that these panels are actually hinged and are also swingable upwardly and forwardly with respect to their associated storage compartments 7, these panels 6 being mounted in flush edge to edge relationship with no hinge means of any kind visible anywhere. The vertical back wall 9, onto which the cabinets 10 providing the storage compartments are suitably secured, extends upwardly from the back of the long display counter 11 and can be placed in abutment with the display room wall so that there is Patented Nov. 29, 1966 no waste of floor space. The front of wall '9 below cabinets 10 can be used to good advantage for display of merchandise, as indicated at 12, where glassine bags are shown suspended on books 13 on said wall. Also, the longer length cafe rods and curtain rods that cannot be displayed on panels 6 can be displayed there, although none is shown in FIG. 1. Other merchandise is shown at 14 hung on hooks 15 on wall 9 at one end of the long display counter 11 alongside the last one of the cabinets 10, and a shelf 16 mounted on the wall 9 by means of brackets 17 provides a support for an open display compartment 18 for other articles 19, while the top of the counter 11 provides space for other open display compartments 20 for additional merchandise 21. Counter 11 is suitably equipped with sliding lower front door panels 22 affording access to storage compartments in the counter 11 below the open display compartments 20. Thus, it should be clear that the provision of my improved combination merchandise display and storage units 5 in no way interferes with efiicient use of the rest of the display space on the counter and back wall, every square foot of available space being used to the same full advantage as heretofore in this general type of display and yet additional storage space is made available in the compartments 7 which can be used to very good advantage by the merchant, and the stock of articles kept in reserve in these compartments are within easy reach by the salesmen from in front of the counter 11. The present display includes three of these improve-d combination display and storage units 5; in some cases only two such units may be included, and in some other cases four or even more may be provided, depending on the overall length of the counter. The display panels 6 being of appreciable width may be used conveniently as backboards for displaying fairly long articles such as curtain rods, .as shown at 23, whereas if a door of this size was hinged on one vertical edge, in the manner of old cabinets, it would be awkward to handle and would certainly require a reliable catch for the free end of the door to eliminate likelihood of its swinging open accidentally, whereas panels 6, being hinged at their upper ends, gravitate to and stay in closed position and there is no need for any detents or catches. Pictures and advertising material pertinent to the merchandise displayed may be placed on top of the cabinets 10, as indicated at 24.

As seen in FIG. 2, each of the panels 6 has a plurality of laterally spaced hooks 25 secured to the top of a transversely extending spacer strip 26 provided on the back of the display panel 6 along but below the top thereof, the hooks 25 being generally S-shaped and being springable relative'to spacer 26 for detachable pivotal engagement over a front bar or cross-piece 27 provided in fixed spaced parallel relation to the shelf 28, which forms the top wall of the cabinet 10 and serves as a support for the aforementioned advertising material 24. Thus, it requires only a slight springing of these hooks 25 to disengage the display panel 6 from its support 27 by an upward pressure thereonfand hence the display on the front of the panel may be changed from time to time as new articles are added to the line or others are altered in certain respects, and it is also a simple matter to replace the panel 6 on support 27 afterward.

In FIG. 3, the display panel 6a has the hooks 25a secured directly to the back of the panel by means of downwardly extending vertical shank portions 29 fastened with wood screws 30. The bar or cross-piece indicated in dotted lines at 27a, corresponding to the bar of crosspiece 27 in FIG. 2, is slightly thicker in relation to the width of the entrance 31 in hooks 25a so that it requires greater springing open of these hooks to enter the crosspiece 27:: therein when the panel is assembled in place on shelf 28, thereby reducing likelihood of these hingedly connected parts becoming disconnected if the panel happens to be swung upwardly carelessly relative to the shelf to afford access to the merchandise. Notice too that the width of the cross-piece 27a is approximately equal to the diameter D of the semi-circular upper end portion 32 of the hooks, thereby assuring smoother pivoting action.

In closing, the panel indicated at 42 in FIG. 1, can be a hinged panel like panels 6 in front of another storage compartment 7 but is here shown as a fixed panel having hooks 43 provided thereon on which bags 44 of merchandise are suspected, similarly as at 12 and 14.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. In a merchandise display structure of the class described the combination of a vertical supporting wall, an open front generally rectangular cabinet mounted thereon and projecting forwardly therefrom and adapted for storage therein of a supply of mechandise, a generally rectangular display panel serving both as a closure for the open front of said cabinet and as a backboard for mounting articles of merchandise for display purposes, and hinge means supported on the top of said cabinet and attached to the upper back portion of said panel for concealment while demountably supporting the panel to swing on a horizontal axis and gravitate to closed vertical position so that no catch or detent means is required, removal of said panel facilitating the mounting or dismounting of articles of merchandise carried on the front thereof, said hinge means comprising a horizontal bar in fixed spaced parallel relation to one of said panel and cabinet elements, and a generally S-shaped springable hook detachably engageable on said bar and carried on the other of said panel and cabinet elements, the bar being of generally rectangular cross-section and of a thickness greater than the Width of the entrance to the S-shaped hook whereby to require its springing open to admit said bar, and said hook having that portion remote from the entrance of generally circular form to provide a bearing forsaid bar, the bar cross-section being of width approximately the same as the diameter of the circular bearing portion of said hook.

2. In a merchandise display structure of the class described the combination of a vertical supporting wall, an open front generally rectangular cabinet mounted thereon and projecting forwardly therefrom and adapted for storage therein of a supply of merchandise, a plurality of generally rectangular display panels disposed side by side in coplanar edge to edge abutment serving both as closures for the open front of said cabinet and as backboards on which to mount articles of merchandise for display purposes, and hinge means supported on the top of said cabinet and attached to the upperback portions of said panels for concealment while demountably supporting said panels for swinging andlateral sliding movement individually on a horizontal axis and to gravitate to closed vertical position so that no catch or detent means is required, the lateral sliding movement enabling placement of the panels with the later-a1 edge portions of neighboring panels in close abutment, while removal of said panels facilitates the mounting or dismounting of articles of merchandise carried on the front thereof, said hinge means for each panel comprising a horizontal bar in spaced parallel relation to one of said panel and cabinet elements, and a generally S-shaped springable hook detachably engageable on said bar and carried on the other of said panel and cabinet elements, the bar being of generally rectangular cross-section and of a thickness greater than the width of the entrance to the S-shaped hook whereby to require its springing open to admit said bar, and said hook having that portion remote from the entrance of generally circular form to provide a bearing for said bar, the bar cross-section being of a width appoximately the same as the diameter of the circular bearing portion of said hook.

3. In an elongated merchandise display counter structure of the class described the combination of a display counter approximately at table height having a storage cabinet therebeneath for storage of merchandise, a vertical back wall in rigid relationship to the back of the display counter on which areas are adapted to be used for display purposes to hang or carry on shelves other articles, of merchandise for display thereof, an open front generally rectangular cabinet mounted on and projecting forwardly from an upper portion of said back wall partway to the front of said counter, said cabinet being adapted for storage therein of a supply of merchandise, a generally rectangular display panel serving both as a closure for the open front of said cabinet and as a backboard for mounting articles of merchandise for display purposes, and hinge means supported on the top of said cabinet and attached to the upper back portion of said panel for concealment while demountably supporting the panel to swing on a horizontal axis and gravitate to closed vertical position so that no catch or detent means is required removal of said panel facilitating the mounting or dismounting of articles of merchandise carried on the front thereof, the cabinet and the lower portion of said panel being within easy reach of a person standing in front of said counter, said hinge means comprising a horizontal bar in spaced parallel relation to one of said panel and cabinet elements, and a generally S-shaped springable hook detachably engageable on said bar and carried on the other of said panel and cabinet elements, the bar being of generally rectangular crosssection and of a thickness greater than the width of the entrance to the S-shaped hook whereby to require its springing open to admit said bar, and said hook having that portion remote from the entrance of generally circular form to provide a bearing for said bar, the bar cross-section being of :a width approximately the same as .the diameter of the circular bearing portion of said hook.

4. In an elongated merchandise display counter structure of the class described the combination of a display counter approximately at table height having a storage cabinet therebeneath for storage of merchandise, a vertical back Wall in rigid relationship to the back of the display counter on which areas are adapted to be used for display purposes to hang or carry on shelves other articles of merchandise for display thereof, an open front generally rectangular cabinet mounted on and projecting forwardly from an upper portion of said back wall partway to the front of' said counter, said cabinet being adapted for storage therein of a supply of merchandise, a plurality ,of generally rectangular display panels disposed side by side in coplanar edge to edge abutment serving both as closures for the open front of said cabinet and as backboards on which to mount articles of merchandise for display purposes, and hinge means supported on the top of said cabinet and attached to the upper back portions of said panels for concealment while demountably supporting said panels for swinging and lateral sliding movement individually on a horizontal axis and to gravitate to closed vertical position so thatno catch or detent means is required, the lateral sliding movement enabling placement of the panels with the lateral edge portions of neighboring panels in close abutment, while removal of said panels facilitates the mounting or dismounting of articles of merchandise carried on the front thereof, the cabinet and the lower portions of said panels being within easy reach of a person standing in front of said counter, said hinge means for each panel comprising a horizontal bar in spaced parallel relation to one of said panel and cabinet elements, and a generally 'S-shap'ed References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 997,154 7/ 1911 Slaymaker 20679 1,568,729 1/1926 Gearon 312-328 2,557,362 6/ 1951 Reitman 248-262 6/1953 Peacock l 21189 10/ 1954 Jones 248-243 5/1956 Backman 1694 X 7/1959 Bender n 312-279 X 10/1961 Michaelsen 312-234 X 5/1962 Katz 312138 X 5/1964 Mohr "a--- 21186 8/1965 Banse 211182 X FOREIGN PATENTS 12/1963 France.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Examiner.

A. FRANKEL, Assistant Examiner. 

4. IN AN ELONGATED MERCHANDISE DISPLAY COUNTER STRUCTURE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED THE COMBINATION OF A DISPLAY COUNTER APPROXIMATELY AT TABLE HEIGHT HAVING A STORAGE CABINET THEREBENEATH FOR STORAGE OF MERCHANDISE, A VERTICAL BACK WALL IN RIGID RELATIONSHIP TO THE BACK OF THE DISPLAY COUNTER ON WHICH AREAS ARE ADAPTED TO BE USED FOR DISPLAY PURPOSES TO HANG OR CARRY ON SHELVES OTHER ARTICLES OF MERCHANDISE FOR DISPLAY THEREOF, AN OPEN FRONT GENERALLY RECTANGULAR CABINET MOUNTED ON AND PROJECTING FORWARDLY FROM AN UPPER PORTION OF SAID BACK WALL PARTWAY TO THE FRONT OF SAID COUNTER, SAID CABINET HAVING ADAPTED FOR STORAGE THEREIN OF A SUPPLY OF MERCHANDISE, A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY RECTANGULAR DISPLAY PANELS DISPOSED SIDE BY SIDE IN COPLANAR EDGE TO EDGE ABUTMENT SERVING BOTH AS CLOSURES FOR THE OPEN FRONT OF SAID CABINET AND AS BACKBOARDS ON WHICH TO MOUNT ARTICLES OF MERCHANDISE FOR DISPLAY PURPOSES, AND HINGE MEANS SUPPORTED ON THE TOP OF SAID CABINET AND ATTACHED TO THE UPPER BACK PORTIONS OF SAID PANELS FOR CONCEALMENT WHILE DEMOUNTABLY SUPPORTING SAID PANELS FOR SWINGING THE LATERAL SLIDING MOVEMENT INDIVIDUALLY ON A HORIZONTAL AXIS AND TO GRAVITATE TO CLOSE VERTICAL POSITION SO THAT NO CATCH OR DETENT MEANS IS REQUIRED, THE LATERAL SLIDING MOVEMENT ENABLING PLACEMENT OF THE PANELS WITH THE LATERAL EDGE PORTIONS OF NEIGHBORING PANELS IN CLOSE ABUTMENT WHILE REMOVAL OF 